Nativism is hostility to immigrants, and is most usually motivated by ethnic tensions and religious bias. In the 20th century, Americans expressed nativism through their hostility to immigrants. The goal of nativism was to restrict immigration by controlling immigrant's behavior and limiting their opportunities.
Who were Nativists?
The most usual supporters of the Nativist Movement were native white workers, government officials, social reformers, employers, and Protestants. Employers wanted to protect their positions at their jobs, social reformers saw immigrants as weak and without morals, government officials feared the "destruction" of American society, and Protestants had a particular distate for Catholics, and sought to limit the Catholic influence in America.
What were Nativists beliefs?
The common belief among nativists was that immigrants were indignent, posed competition for jobs, and drug and alcohol abusers. Chinese immigrants were mainly viewed as competition for jobs and ultimately money. Nativisits resulted by publishing images of Chinese womenas prostitutes, and men as substance abusers. The Pope mainly discriminated against Irish immigrants due to fear of an invasion. Natvists similary portrayed Irish immigrants as lazy and poor drunkards.
The KKK
The KKK increased dramatically in the 1920s as a reaction to the new immigrants. The KKK gained more members through the movie "The Birth of a Nation" that glorified the group. This movie was influential in spreading the word of the KKK, and was so well received that even president Woodrow Wilson spoke highly of it. Although the KKK are best known for their discrimination against African Americans, they were also hostile towards Jews and Catholics. The members of the KKK were predominantly Protestant. Eventually, however, due to many scandals membership of the KKK declined.
The End of Unrestricted Immigration
The Emergency Quota Act of 1921 restricted the number of immigrants drastically by allowing only 3% of the total people from the country to live in America. In 1924, immigration is even further restricted by the Immigration Act of 1924 by which immigrants were cut from 3% to 2%.
Nativism in the 20th Century
What is Nativism?
Nativism is hostility to immigrants, and is most usually motivated by ethnic tensions and religious bias. In the 20th century, Americans expressed nativism through their hostility to immigrants. The goal of nativism was to restrict immigration by controlling immigrant's behavior and limiting their opportunities.Who were Nativists?
The most usual supporters of the Nativist Movement were native white workers, government officials, social reformers, employers, and Protestants. Employers wanted to protect their positions at their jobs, social reformers saw immigrants as weak and without morals, government officials feared the "destruction" of American society, and Protestants had a particular distate for Catholics, and sought to limit the Catholic influence in America.
What were Nativists beliefs?
The common belief among nativists was that immigrants were indignent, posed competition for jobs, and drug and alcohol abusers. Chinese immigrants were mainly viewed as competition for jobs and ultimately money. Nativisits resulted by publishing images of Chinese womenas prostitutes, and men as substance abusers. The Pope mainly discriminated against Irish immigrants due to fear of an invasion. Natvists similary portrayed Irish immigrants as lazy and poor drunkards.The KKK
The KKK increased dramatically in the 1920s as a reaction to the new immigrants. The KKK gained more members through the movie "The Birth of a Nation" that glorified the group. This movie was influential in spreading the word of the KKK, and was so well received that even president Woodrow Wilson spoke highly of it. Although the KKK are best known for their discrimination against African Americans, they were also hostile towards Jews and Catholics. The members of the KKK were predominantly Protestant. Eventually, however, due to many scandals membership of the KKK declined.The End of Unrestricted Immigration
The Emergency Quota Act of 1921 restricted the number of immigrants drastically by allowing only 3% of the total people from the country to live in America. In 1924, immigration is even further restricted by the Immigration Act of 1924 by which immigrants were cut from 3% to 2%.